CommonHealth Weekly Wellnote

May 9, 2024 / Get Well

How can your Virginia State Employee Wellness Program help? The CommonHealth programs and campaigns cover a variety of health topics and are available in a range of formats to meet the needs of different workplaces. Highly skilled wellness consultants provide the latest on stress, sleep, nutrition, exercise and more for faculty/staff meetings, special events, conferences, benefit fairs, safety meetings, lunch and learns, etc. They provide traditional, in-person presentations and displays as well as virtual presentations, on-demand videos and seasonal health-related challenges that are fun and engaging. Visit the website to see how CommonHealth can help you. If you’re looking to book an event in July or August, connect sooner rather than later to ensure you get a date that works for you.

Check out this week’s updates from CommonHealth.

  • In April, Alcohol Awareness Month, we were encouraged to reflect on our consumption practices. One way to reduce your alcohol intake is by experimenting with mocktails. A “No-Jito” is a refreshing, easy-to-make beverage that’s just perfect for warmer weather. Try it this May!

No-Jito

Ingredients:

  • .5 oz. fresh lime juice
  • .25 – .5 oz. agave
  • 6–8 oz. sparkling lemon-lime water (La Croix, for example)
  • Fresh mint

Directions:

Fill a tall glass with ice. Add lime juice, agave and sparkling water. Use a spoon to blend the ingredients together. Garnish with a mint sprig. Tip: Clap the mint in your hands before garnishing to get the flavor to really shine. You can also use other fruits, like strawberries or mangoes. Cucumbers add a particularly refreshing touch!

  • WeightWatchers has additional mocktail recipes that you can try. All benefits-eligible employees, spouses and adult dependents get an exclusive WeightWatchers discount of 50% off the retail price of membership plans and can join now for as low as $9.75 per month. The Special Monthly Pricing and the Commonwealth of Virginia monthly discount are not open to retirees, their spouses and dependents, wage employees or Local Choice members.
  • Aetna has provided a useful tip sheet on reducing alcohol consumption. Below are a few suggestions:
    • Keep track of how much alcohol you’ve consumed.
    • Count and measure how many ounces you are consuming.
    • Set your limit. This is especially helpful if you’re out with friends.
    • Pace yourself.
    • Include food and water.
  • Benfits-eligible employees, check with your health plan for free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources if you or someone you love could use help cutting down on drinking.
  • Just in time! Grab your seat for a FREE WeightWatchers webinar on Thursday, May 16, at 1 p.m. WW experts will share strategies for staying healthy and balanced all season, even when summer fun upends your routine. Register here for the webinar. 
    • Already a WeightWatchers member? Call 866-204-2885 for questions or to sync your current account.

 Common Health Weekly Wellnote Masthead with rainbow swish on black background. Below header: commonhealth dot virginia dot gov Top panel: Alcohol Awareness (with stock photo of young man gesturing "no thanks" to a bottle of beer) Alcohol Awareness Month is observed in April as a time when individuals are encouraged to reflect on their relationship with alcohol — which can be particularly important when it comes to reducing health risks. Studies show that even small amounts of alcohol can increase our risks for cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults of legal drinking age choose not to drink or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to no more than 2 drinks per day for men and no more than 1 drink per day for women. If you’re interested in drinking less to decrease health risks (or for any other reason), see the attachment for tips on cutting down on drinking, and say “cheers” to a healthier life. Check with your health plan for free EAP resources if you or someone you love could use help cutting down on drinking. Three smaller columns below: Back on Track Training (with stock photo of a blank notebook page with "Today's Plans" written at the top) Schedule an in-person training for CommonHealth’s Back on Track campaign to learn how to prevent or manage back pain with simple strengthening exercises and stretches! Contact your CommonHealth agency coordinator (or HR benefits administrator) to schedule a presentation and learn more! 8 Tips For A Healthy Spring (with stock photo of colorful wellness items, including fresh fruits and veggies, sneakers, and a water bottle) As we prepare for warmer weather and longer days, it’s important that we consider what we can do to stay healthy this spring. Prioritize moving more, eating healthier, getting enough sleep, and more to help improve overall quality of life and aid in preventing chronic disease with 8 tips for a healthy spring from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A Little Bit Healthier This Week (with black-and-white drawing of a house divided into four quadrants: images, clockwise from top left, are a bucket with cleaning solution, a squee-gee, a vacuum cleaner, and a spray bottle. Allergy Relief Starts at Home: Vacuum your rugs or dust hard surfaces and window blinds with a damp cloth. Just a few minutes every day is all it takes to keep dust and allergens at bay — and keep the air in your home a little bit healthier. Contact CommonHealth: wellness at dhrm dot virginia dot gov

For questions regarding this week’s communication or the CommonHealth program, please reach out to your respective campus coordinator below:

Submitted by:
Faith Redd-Walker, Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing, employeewellbeing@nvcc.edu